How to Connect Drinking Straws

Plastic drinking straws are a fun tool to use for arts and crafts projects (Image: Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images)

Drinking straws are a popular item to use in arts and craft projects. They are a cheap and easy tool to work with. You can make anything from model rocket ships and cars to roller coasters and castles. The more complex your design, the more additional items you'll need, but whether you plan to make a simple box or a model city, you'll first have to know how to connect the straws.

Things You'll Need

Plastic straws

Pencil

Paper

Scissors

Glue (optional)

Paper clips (optional)

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Decide on what type of straws you want to use for your project. Bendable drinking straws will give you more design possibilities than straight straws. You can use different types of straws in one project, but some brands may fit easier than others.

Plan out your design on paper. If you're embarking on a large project, you will likely only connect enough straws together to make a square or rectangle. After you make enough squares and rectangles, you will glue or paper clip these sections together to create your project.

Use your scissors to cut your straws to different lengths. It's unlikely that you will use the full length of all your straws in your design. Having straws of different lengths will give you more design possibilities.

Connect your straws by inserting one end of your straw into the opening of a second straw. The bendable straws have a distinct top and bottom, and how you choose to connect these will play a major role in your design. The direction you choose to bend the straw will change your design as you go along.